Located near the banks of the Sabarmati River, the ancient city of Ahmedabad flaunts a compelling mix of history, culture, and contemporary vigor. Started as a small medieval stronghold and now transformed into a flourishing hub of trade and culture, Ahmedabad showcases a city that has elegantly embraced the stream of time.
Named after its founder, Sultan Ahmad Shah, the story of Ahmedabad began in the 15th century when the emperor was impressed by the city’s fertile land and strategic location and soon built the basis of a booming commercial center. From its initial days, the city thrived as a hub for stunning textiles and vibrant fabrics, attracting traders from different regions. By the late 19th century, Ahmedabad had an established textile industry, providing employment to thousands of people and earning the title “The Manchester of the East” owing to its cotton exports to the United Kingdom.
Photo by JC ART
During India’s battle against British rule, the city also served as a home to many notable leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded the famous Dandi March in 1930 from the Sabarmati Ashram, situated in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, symbolizing Indian people’s protest against unfair British policies. Similarly, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, a remarkable leader and significant figure in the Indian National Congress, coordinated and headed several anti-British protests and movements in the city and the surrounding regions.
However, despite its rich history, the city of Ahmedabad is not just defined by elaborate patterns and vivid colors of its textiles or its significant role in the Indian independence movement. Ahmedabad has evolved into a flourishing destination for information technology.
In August 2023, Deloitte-Nasscom published a report highlighting Ahmedabad’s rapidly growing technology landscape. As per the report, the city is drawing the attention of technology businesses and investors owing to its robust infrastructure, advantageous business environment, and available qualified IT workforce from its renowned educational institutions. As per the same report, Ahmedabad has about 95,000 professionals contributing actively to the technology industry and is home to over 30 GCCs (Global Capability Centers) and around 3,700 tech firms.
The Gujarat government has played a major role in accelerating the development of Ahmedabad’s IT infrastructure. Initiatives like Digital Gujarat and GESIP (Gujarat Electronics and Software Industries Policy) have been instrumental in building an optimal business environment and offering infrastructure support and financial incentives to IT firms and start-ups.
The land of entrepreneurs, as mentioned in the aforesaid report, also has a booming start-up ecosystem, with over 30 incubators and initiatives such as IHUB-Gujarat (Gujarat Student Start-up and Innovation Hub). Approximately 40% of start-ups in the city have flourished in industries such as agri-tech, pharmaceuticals, BFSI, and e-Commerce.
Ahmedabad’s transition from an age-old city to a burgeoning IT hub is a shining example of how a city can embrace change while preserving its cultural heritage. Considering its crucial role in supporting IT and e-commerce growth, the Meet Magento India 2024 is returning to Ahmedabad after 5 years on February 10th, aiming to capitalize on the city’s dynamic business environment. The event will be held at Ahmedabad’s largest convention and conferencing center, The Forum.
Event registration is now open.
Take 10% off when you buy 5 or more tickets – use code ‘BULK’ to get your discount.
Organized By
